The Pixel 2 XL

I love this new Pixel phone from Google. I’m thinking about writing a longer form article about what it means for photography going forward… I just need a bit more time to write and think about it!

Daily Photo – Jogging in Millbrook with my Pixel Phone

This is a shot made from two different photos from my Pixel 1 phone. Now I'm actually using the Pixel 2, but I took this a few months ago. One great thing about Google photos (they are not a sponsor or anything), but whenever you take multiple photos and overlap them, the Google server will automatically build a panorama for you. So, after this, I just downloaded the new photo then made some adjustments in Aurora HDR.

Facebook Live Edit

Apple just named Aurora as Mac App of the Year! Join me for a live demo as I edit a single RAW photo and show off some of the new features of Aurora HDR 2018! Where are you watching from? Let us know in the comments… and let me know if you have any questions in the comments too! Grab Aurora now at https://store.stuckincustoms.com/collections/software

Getting a place in Japan

My son is close to graduating high school, and he has a real interest in going to Tokyo to teach English. I think this sounds like a really fun first job, so I’ve been looking into what it takes to move there and make it happen. I have a few friends that have moved there and done the same sort of thing. We’ll probably make another exploratory trip soon to see everything that is involved!

Daily Photo – For Relaxing Time it's Suntory Time

This was taken in the amazing Yamazaki Suntory Distillery just outside of Osaka. We were invited there for a tasting and a tour. It's my second time here, and this time they let me use a tripod! Little things like this get me excited because it's really tough to get a photo like this with a handheld shot. It looks bright in here, but it's actually quite dark.

We’re about to launch several videos that I made while in Antarctica to Passport Members. I think you’ll really enjoy them. I’m getting started with kind of a fun one today, getting outfitted by Antarctica New Zealand in all our Emergency Conditions Weather Gear. It is NOT EASY to wear all this stuff and take photos at the same time, I assure you! I felt a bit like a space-man or something! You’ll see me up in the cockpit of the C-130 on the way in, trying to get a few decent photos!

Exclusive content for Passport members

About a year ago

Here’s a video I made about a year ago here in Naples of when I took my family on a trip here.

Daily Photo – Dining in Naples

This is a photo of one of the restaurants in Naples at the Ritz-Carlton. I really enjoy taking photos of cool interiors like this. None of these photos are “required” or anything as part of my relationship with the hotel. But I often end up finding cool interiors here and there. Sometimes the team there sees me setting up with a tripod, going slow, taking my time, etc, and they assume I'm on some kind of a commercial shoot. I end up explaining that I am not on a commercial shoot; I just think it looks awesome.

Jim & Andy

If you have Netflix, I’ll recommend the new Jim Carrey documentary called Jim & Andy. I thought it was really great… I’m a big Carrey fan, and I think all of his recent musings on consciousness are right on.

Daily Photo – Waterfall in Iceland

There are so many waterfalls in Iceland that I could not hope to see them all. It's a great goal… I remember going into the fjords area in the North East and thinking, “I'm going to see every waterfall!” It turns out I had the enthusiasm, but then after I realized there were thousands, I pretty much wrote off that promise. But, I did see a few pretty ones for sure, like this one.

Updated Playlist

I make a lot of playlists on Spotify, but one of my new favorites is called Feelin’ Burny Afterny, which is a very strange name. It’s meant to be some of the sorts of songs you hear in the middle of the afternoon at Burning Man. That probably makes absolutely no sense, but I hope you hear a few things in there you like!

Daily Photo –

It kind of looks like a salt mine, doesn't it? That's what I was thinking as we helicoptered into this awesome spot between Queenstown and Wanaka.
It's actually a massive cross-country skiing route. I'm not much of a cross-country skier, but I know some people absolutely love it. This would be some sort of panacea for them I suppose. They also have a cabin that you can stay in overnight… x-country ski in, stay the night, the ski out the next day. That sounds fun; I haven't had the chance to try it yet.

New “People” Portfolio

Daily Photo – The Swimmin' Hole in Aruba

Aruba is one of my favorite islands I've ever visited. It has all these secret little spots like this. Well, it's not that secret, but I guess it's kinda secret because we were pretty much the only ones there! Here is a Map Link to the location in case you go on an Aruban adventure!

Behind-the-Scenes for this shot

I give a handful of tips and settings info for this particular shot of Tokyo for Passport Members. Thanks again Passport Members! And don’t forget, this makes for a fabulous Christmas present for your photo friend!

The daily photo below is a detail from very close to this shot at:

I could have broken this into three different videos, but decided to cram a bunch of tips and ideas into one. Enjoy!

I have MORE photos coming from this experience as well in coming weeks, so stay tuned!

Exclusive content for Passport members

Daily Photo – Two for Today for Tokyo!

I was inside an office-area of Mori Tower (not the observation deck) to get this shot. In the observation tower, they have a bar or restaurant or something that covers up this view! I never understood why observation towers, 100% as far as I can tell, occlude part of the view with such pedantic services. Put those in the MIDDLE PART people, the MIDDLE PART. We are not going to the observation deck to get a wine or a croissant, we are going to get a 360 view. I'm sure this was designed by a committee, and that is why you never see a statue of a committee

Categories on Stuck In Customs

Don’t forget you can click above on the White Sands category to see other photos from this particular spot.

Daily Photo – Walking in the White Sands

It was a great decision to spend the day on a journey to White Sands National Park. What an amazing place! I wish I had more time there, but I took all the photos I could during the three hours there. I actually don't even know if there is a hotel or inn nearby. I don't think so; it's quite remote. But, either way, this place is definitely worth a day-and-sunset-visit.

New Kit Goodies

Be sure to check out my kit.com where I have a few new goodies in there. One of my favorite new upgrades is the JBL Pulse 3! I like it even better than the JBL Pulse 2, even though I have a few friends that still prefer the Pulse 2 design.

Daily Photo – Hearst Castle Pool Party

Can you imagine the pool parties here back in the day? I heard you can actually still rent this out and have your own pool party. I don't have enough fancy friends, but if I did, this would be on my to-do list. I visited this place probably about seven years ago, and I'm still processing photos from that trip. I just recently finished up this one.